Reflecting button



Feb. 15, 1944.

M. TABELLIQNE REFLECTING BUTTON Filed Dec. 19, 1941 INVENTOR M//MfL T/JBELLMNE ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 15, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE REFLECTING BUTTON Michael Tabellionc, Meriden, Conn.

Application December 19,'1941, Serial No. 423,615

2 Claims.

This invention relates to reflectors, and more particularly to a reflecting button which is detachably mounted in a rubber suction cup so that it may be attached to any smooth surface by simply pressing it in position.

Oneobject of this invention is to provide a reflector button of the above nature which will be particularly adapted for use on automobiles, trucks, bicycles, and road signs.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the above nature which will be simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, easy to install and manipulate, compact, nonrattling, non-corroding, ornamental in appearance, and very eflicient and durable in use.

With these and other objects in view there have been illustrated on the accompanying drawing, three forms in which the invention may be conveniently embodied in practice.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 represents a sectional view of the first form of reflector button embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the same.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the second form of the reflector button also embodying the invention.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the same.

Figure 5 is a sectional view of a third form of reflector button, also embodying the invention.

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the same.

Figure 7 is a sectional view, on a larger scale, of one of the small reflecting units employed in the third form of the invention.

Referring now to the drawing in which like reference numerals denote corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral It] indicates a soft rubber reflector suction cup base having the usual concave surface H which is adapted to be pressed manually against any smooth surface for attachment thereto. The suction cup l may be made of any desired color to harmonize with the surface to which it is to be attached.

The suction cup I0 is provided on its top with a conical recess I2 having a flat bottom l3 and a cylindrical upper section 14, as clearly shown in Figure 1. The recess I2 is adapted to detachably receive a transparent reflecting insert member l having a convex upper outer surface l6, a cylindrical intermediate section I1, and an outwardly diverging conical bottom section I8, below which is a fiat bottom reflector surface I9 of any desired type. By means of this construction, it will be seen that after the insert member l5 has been forced into position within the upper recess l2 of the rubber cup Ill it will be securely retained therein without rattling by the overhanging inwardly extending upper section It or said suction cup. By means of this construction it will also be seen that the reflector insert l5 may be readily removed from the elastic rubber suction cup l0 whenever desired in view of the stretchability of the conical portion of said cup.

It will be understood that the insert member l5 may either be placed in the suction cup after the manufacture thereof, or may be placed in the mold in which the suction cup is vulcanized.

Second form In the modified form of the invention shown in Figures 3 and 4, a reflector suction cup is provided with a concave base 2| as in the first form, but instead of having a conical recess in the top, the cup 20 is provided with a flat upper surface 22 against which a reflecting base surface or mirror 23 of a convex glass reflecting button 24 is held in contact.

In order to secure the button 26 firmly in position and yet permit it to be detached from the rubber suction cup 20 whenever desired, provision is made of an inverted hollow tapped metal socket 25 embedded in said button 24, said socket being preferably provided with a conical diverging outer surface so as to securely anchor it within the glass reflector button.

Provision is also made of a metal screw bolt having a polygonal head 26 permanently embedded in the body of the rubber suction cup 20 during the molding thereof, said screw bolt having a threaded shank 21 upon which the tapped socket 25 of the glass reflector button 26 is adapted to be secured tightly.

Third form In the third form of the invention shown in Figures 5 to 7, the reflector button comprises a rubber suction cup 28 having a concave base 29 similar to the concave bases. and 2| of the first two forms previously described.

In the third form of the invention illustrated in Figures 5 to 7, instead of employing a single reflecting member as in the first two forms, provision is made of a plurality of small-sized glass reflector inserts 30 which are herein shown as arranged in four concentric circular rows surrounding a single central reflector button located at the apex of the suction cup. The refiector inserts 30 are permanently embedded in the suction cup 28 during the process of molding, and each cup is provided with an outwardly flaring conical beveled bottom section 3| which is surmounted by a convex top portion 32. By means of this construction, a uniformly distributed reflecting action will be obtained throughout the upper part f the reflector button, and the reflection from the rays of light impinging upon the inserts 30 will be directed at various-angles depending upon the distance of said inserts from the apex.

While there have been disclosed in this specification three forms in which the invention may be embodied, it is to be understood that these forms are shown for the purpose of illustration only, and that the invention is not to be limited to the specific disclosures, but may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit. In short, the invention includes all the modifications and embodiments Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new and for which it is desired to secure Letters Patent is:

1. In a reflector button. a soft rubber suction cup having a concave attachment base and a convex upper section, a plurality of transparent inserts each having a bottom reflecting surface and an outwardly beveled bottom flange embedded in the upper surface of said suction cup at a plurality of scattered points thereupon, said inserts being anchored securely within said suc- I tion cup by the material of said cup which excoming within the scope of the following claims. 20

tends over the beveled flanges of said inserts.

2. The reflector button as set forth in claim 1, in which said reflecting inserts are arranged in a plurality of circular rows concentric with the vertical axis of said rubber suction cup.

MICHAEL TABELLIONE. 

